Lord Carter May Take ITV Top Job After Leaving Post As Communications Minister

In what could be considered as yet another setback to Gordon Brown's cabinet, UK communications minister Lord Carter is stepping down from his role to join private sector again, according to reports from The Times.

Lord Carter of Barnes, who was recruited as communications minister by Gordon Brown around 18 months back, was named in the list of 10 ministers serving in the new revamped Department of Business under Lord Mandelson.

When asked whether he was planning to quit the government, Lord Carter didn't refuse at all, and responded by saying, “I'm beavering away feverishly on my report, that's my only preoccupation”.

Carter is to publish the Digital Britain report next week, which will devise government's strategies on public service broadcasting, digital radio switchover, ownership rules for local media, and other things crucial to shaping UK's digital future.

Furthermore, Carter rejected the reports that he has another job lined up in the private sector, but denied to confirm that he would continue to serve as a minister by this autumn.

Besides, speculations are rife that he is all set to join ITV as its chief exec. Incidentally, Carter had already served as chief exec of City PR company Brunswick and of the media watchdog Ofcom.

Rumour has it that Lord Carter clashed with one of Brown's closest associates. Undeterred, Carter apparently chose to stay until the seminal Digital Britain report is published before he packs up and goes elsewhere. And unlike other ministers who left the current government, Lord Carter wouldn't have any difficulty getting a very well paid job out there.